Lydia A Seller of Purple: A Review

This book written by Josephine Cunnington Edwards is an amazing story of Lydia a young lady in America 100 years or so ago.

Lydia lived with her family in eastern Pennsylvania. It was a happy family.  Then her father died in an accident and the family moved to Philadelphia where Lydia’s mother s started baking cookies and cinnamon rolls and selling them to support the family. Soon it developed into more with a few tables for people to eat at and sandwiches, hot drinks pies and baked beans and more for people to buy and eat. It became a popular place to get a good meal at a reasonable price.

Lydia was a great help to her mother.

One day she saw advertised some evangelistic meetings and she talked her brother into going with her to attend them. She was thrilled with learning about the 2^nd coming of Jesus that the Bible predicted and other biblical truths including the 7^th day Sabbath. Her mother wasn’t pleased with Lydia’s new beliefs and sent her by train to visit Lydia’s Quaker grandmother a few hours away. Mom thought grandmother would straighten Lydia out.

Lydia was happy to visit grandmother and when grandmother asked her about her new beliefs, Lydia gladly shared them with her. Grandma had never heard such things and rushed down the street to talk to her pastor. When he could not explain away the things that Grandma had learned to her satisfaction she decided that she would have Lydia preach in the schoolhouse. So on her way back home she made arrangements for the use of the schoolhouse.

Lydia was a bit scared of preaching, but Grandma said the neighbors “need to hear what you have taught me which is more bible truths than I have learned in the last 40 years.” Grandma got the word around and there was an overflow crowd in the schoolhouse and Lydia preached 4 nights a week for several weeks. Many people accepted the biblical truths that she presented.

Lydia went to school to become Bible instructor and eventually married John, a young evangelist.  Grandma told John, “I know that thee will be happy. For thee has the most beautiful work in all the world. But don’t thee forget, that thee is not the only preacher. Lydia beat thee to the trade by three long years.”

This is an inspiring story. You can order it from Amazon.com or from Teach Services. Click here for more information.

Soul Liberty-Celebrating America's First Freedom: A Review

This beautifully illustrated book about Freedom the Constitution of the United States and the Amendments to the Constitution as well as some important quotes from significant people in the history of the United States.

Here are some of the quotes that I really like:

The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance. John Philpot Curran

The founders of the nation wisely sought to guard against the employment of secular power on the part of the church, with its inevitable result- intolerance and persecution.  Ellen G White

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Thomas Jefferson

Government is frequently and aptly classed under two descriptions-a government of force, and a government of law; the first is the definition of despotism-the last of liberty. Alexander Hamilton

Bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will, to be rightful, must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal laws must protect, and to violate would be oppression. Thomas Jefferson

Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God cannot long retain it. Abraham Lincoln

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. First Amendment.

You can order this book from Amazon.com the isbn # is 978-1-5323-5129-7

Real Family Talk-Answers to Questions About Love, Marriage, aned Sex: A Review

Willie and Elaine Oliver have written this helpful book which is compiled from 15 years-worth of their “relationship column” in the Message Magazine.

Here are some of the topics that they cover:

Awfully Wedded, Making Differences work, A Cure for Nagging, Where Has the Romance Gone?, Happy Marriage?, Look Before you Leap, Controlling a Temper, Making Decisions, The Advantages and Disadvantages of Shacking Up, Sexual Relationships, Infidelity, Domestic Violence, Parenting and much more.

You can read the first chapter on line and learn a lot more about this book. Click here.

I Will Not Fear: A Review

I Will Not Fear, has recently been published by Revell-a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Author Melba Pattillo Beals, who in 1957 was  one of the Nine African American students chosen to integrate Central High School in Little Rock , Arkansas tells her amazing story of building faith under fire throughout her life.

I Will Not Fear is one of the most inspiring books we have ever read, Dr. Beals’s writing is honest and compelling, and it is the kind of book you cannot put down. It should be required reading for every American. She brings to life every story and milestone on her journey in such a way that we cannot help but take it with her. Our deepest gratitude to her for sharing her terrorizing walk so that we have a window into what it means and what it takes to be “a profile in courage.”

As one of the famous Little Rock Nine who first integrated the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, Melba was not only quite literally, on the forefront of the desegregation movement in America but on the front pages of the major newspapers as well. She bravely entered the school, guarded by soldiers of the 101^st Airborne Division in the face of raging, violent, white citizens on scene to stop her. This would become the testing ground of her faith. Physical and psychological threats, bullying, hatred, and bigotry surrounded her on all sides each day, fueled by the Ku Klux Klan’s very real, life threatening influence. And she was only fifteen years old.

God’s plan for Melba also included healing her own terror of and prejudice against white people, so as to inspire others to do the same. God gave her the McCabe family, Quakers living in rural Santa Rosa, California. Bless that family’s dear hearts, and each and every one of them. They helped heal not only a traumatized girl, but a divided nation also.

[Taken form the foreword by Gerald Jampolsky founder of Attitudinal Healing and author of many books, including the international bestseller Love is Letting Go of Fear].

I first learned about this book from an article in Guideposts magazine. I really highly recommend it. It is interesting and fascinating and instructive. You can read more about this book by clicking here. I hope you will purchase a book at your favorite bookstore or on one of the on line venues. Then be sure and read it and meet Melba and her family in this book. As Charlie “Tremendous Jones” wrote: “You will be the same in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.”

Contemporary Evangelism for the 21st. Century: A Review

Dr. Carlton P. Byrd author of this new book is in a unique position to explore the topic of contemporary evangelism. The attendance of his Atlanta-Berean Seventh-day Adventist church quadrupled in a few short months after his arrival. His ground-breaking approach to worship and evangelism together has been a catalyst for growth and change.

Dr Byrd emphasizes that while God’s message does not change – people change so the way to reach them will sometimes need to be adapted to the current culture.

Here are some quotes from this book:

Ineffective evangelistic practices need to be abandoned, and consequently, modern evangelistic approaches should be employed to maximize church growth.

As we seek to reach our highly secularized, socially diverse, and economically dissimilar culture, our methods of evangelism must change to reach the contemporary mind.

The heart of evangelism is based in the heart of a seeking God

The church has been sent by God to teach that healing comes through humanity’s acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

You can learn more about this book and read the first chapter on line for free – click here.

Twice Upon a Time: A Review

Describing the wonder of friendship, Solomon said “two are better than one.” This factual coming –of-age story begins with a twosome—David Asscherick and Nathan Renner—before their paths crossed. As children the rugged West invigorates and toughens them, instilling an awe of nature and a love of conquest. Adolescence sees them foray into skateboarding, rock climbing, and straightedge punk rock music. Finally, what appears to be fate connects them, tumbling them together in the same 20^th century youth culture and spitting them out as ardent followers of a new faith.

Jennifer Jill Schwirzer has done a marvelous job of writing biographies of these two who when they found God continued their love of nature including rock climbing and then they started a school of Evangelism which they call ARISE.

It is really two amazing stories that comes together as the same story. Reading this book shows how God uses many different people and circumstances to guide one to the place where he wants them to be.

The Greatest Gift: A Review

The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern is the heartwarming story that became the Christmas Classic It’s a Wonderful Life.

I have enjoyed watching It’s a Wonderful Life many times over the last 40 years, but never before did I read the story that inspired the movie until my wife bought me this book as a gift for Christmas last year and we both thoroughly enjoyed it.

On the night before Christmas, a mysterious stranger saves George Bailey from a moment of despair by giving him a precious opportunity to understand the difference that his unassuming life makes to those around him and to the world.

If you have not watched the movie, which is available on DVD or read this book, I recommend you do both. It is good to be reminded that our lives do make a difference to people, that we were put in this world to make a difference to others. This 20^th century parable reminds us of that.

The Pocket Ellen G. White Dictionary: A Review

This new book fulfills the need to create a simple and ready reference work about the life and writings of Ellen G. White.

The first part of the book gives a brief and very informative overview of the life of Ellen G. White and the second part of the book is a dictionary of unusual words or phrases that Ellen White used which may not be so easily understood 100 plus years since they were written.

I found the book very enlightening to my understanding of Ellen White.

Please click here for more information on this book and also to read the first chapter from this book on line for free.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: A Review

This is one of the most amazing stories I have ever read. William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer tell William’s story.

William Kamkwamba was born in Malawi a country where magic ruled and modern science was mystery. It was also a land withered by drought and hunger. But William had read about windmills, and he dreamed of building one that would bring to his small village a set of luxuries that only 2 percent of Malawians could enjoy: electricity and running water. His neighbors called him misala-crazy-but William refused to let go of his dreams. With a small pile of once-forgotten science textbooks: some scrap metal, tractor parts, and bicycle halves; and an armory of curiosity and determination, he embarked on a daring plan to forge an unlikely contraption and small miracle that would change the lives around him.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a remarkable true story about human inventiveness and its power to overcome crippling adversity. It will inspire anyone who doubts the power of one individual’s ability to change his community and better the lives of those around him.

As a young teenager, William had to drop out of school. However, he went to the library and got books to read. He had seen on a bicycle a light that shone when the bicycle was pedaled and he thought how could I make light and power to pump water so we can read books in the evening and get water in our fields so we will not have a drought? William, a school dropout read books and build a windmill which generated electricity.

He is now a graduate of Dartmouth College and his inventions have been displayed at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. The Moving Windmills Project was inspired by the work of William. Their motto is “African Solutions to African Problems.” Rather than invest in top-down, externally imposed agendas, Moving Windmills works with local leaders to determine, organize, and implement the appropriate solutions. Areas of focus include: food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, health, education, clean water, and community building.

To learn more about Moving Windmills, click here.

And for a pictorial YOUTUBE of the children’s version of this story click here.

Mightier Than a Lion: A Review

I enjoyed this collection of 34 true stories taken from the popular Guide magazine, a weekly magazine especially meant for young people 10-14 years of age. Some of us who are quite a few years older than that enjoy them too.

Young people make decisions every day. Some decisions are big. Others are huge. Most seem so small you barely even think about them. The kids in these true stories relied on Jesus to help them make the right decisions. Jesus will help you too!

I was inspired by all stories in this book, but one story really spoke to me. This is a story about a young lady Kendra whose legs were paralyzed as the result of an accident. When she came home from the hospital in a wheelchair, her parents were very tense and worried about the whole situation.

“This is no way to live,” Kendra announced one morning, and both parents winced.

“I’m so sorry, honey,” her mom said, “I don’t know why God has allowed you to be paralyzed.”

“I’m not talking about my legs not working, Mom,” Kendra said, holding her head high, “I’m talking about us being sad about it. This is my life now. I’m going to make it awesome.”

The story goes on to tell about how she learned to cope and was a happy, successful person who  encouraged others to be all that they could be.

You can read the first chapter of this awesome book on line for free click here

The Book of Revelation: A Review

Author Ranko Stefanovic’s new book on Revelation, the Apocalypse, is one of the most recent titles to be published on the subjects included in the bible’s book of Revelation.

There are 13 chapters in this book one for each of the 1^st thirteen weeks of 2019. It is specially recommended as a companion book to the Adult Bible Study Guide and covers the main topics of the book of Revelation. An excellent study guide for use in studying the book of Revelation whether one is following the Adult Bible Study Guide or not.

My favorite chapter in this book is chapter 13 which is entitled “I Make All Things New.”

The book of Revelation closes with a benediction: “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all” (verse 21). This phrase is more than just a customary benediction. It is God’s assurance that people’s only hope is in Christ’s grace. Christ is the answer to all human hopes and longings amid the enigmas and uncertainties of life. The future may look frightening and gloomy, but God will be with His people until the very end (Matthew 28:20). He holds the future in His hands. His grace is promised to all who take the messages of the Apocalypse seriously, and He will equip His people to endure the tumultuous times of the final crisis. It is through Christ’s grace that Revelation’s promises become reality. Soon He will return, claim His faithful people, and usher them into their eternal home.

It is exciting to be reminded that God has been working on His plan to be finished with the struggles and trials of this sinful world.

You can read the first chapter of this new book on line for free. Click here.